walk a tightrope 1. ходить по острию ножаAs a manager, you walk a tightrope. The dividing line between success and failure is very, very thin.

well-versed 1. подкованный (в предмете)She is well-versed in French history.

window dressing 1. показуха; очковтирательство;потемкинские деревниThey are too loving in public. I don't believe in it, I think it's window dressing. All those fancy invitations turned out to be nothing but window dressing. All he really wanted was to be introduced to my influential father-in-law.

within an ace of smth/doing smth 1. чуть было не; почтиHer ambition to star in a musical is within an ace of being fulfilled following talks with a West End producer. We were within an ace of calling you, but we'd lost your phone number.

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walk on air 1. ног под собой не чуять; потерять голову (от радости)When the doctor told me I was going to have a baby, I was walking on air.

wet behind the ears 1. молоко на губах не обсохло; молокососHawking was a research student, still wet behind the ears by scientific standards.

wipe the floor with 1. мокрое место оставить; в порошок стереть; по стенке размазатьDo you really think we will win the football match on Saturday? - Yes, we'll wipe the floor with them.

walk on eggshells 1. ходить по тонкому льдуThey were walking on eggshells. Not a mention of what had happened or what might happen next. It was like walking on eggshells with my father. The smallest thing would make him angry.

wipe the slate clean 1. начать новую жизньI'd like to wipe my slate clean and start all over again.

without a hitch 1. без сучка и задоринки; как по нотам (гладко)The removal van was quite prepared to come in the evening when it was dark, and the whole operation went without a hitch.

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warm the cockles of smb's heart 1. согревать душуIt warmed the cockles of my heart to see my native country again after so many years abroad.

what makes smb tick 1. волновать (привлекать, интересовать)If I knew what made my customers tick, I would be able to sell them more merchandise. A good salesperson knows what makes a customer tick.

wise after the event 1. задним умом крепокIt's all very well, being wise after the event, but what we really need is to be able to act decisively when an emergency arises.

without a stitch on (informal) 1. в чем мать родилаThey let their child run around outside without a stitch on.

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wash one's dirty linen in public 1. выносить сор из избыWe must not allow this matter to be taken to court. The last thing we want to do is to wash our dirty linen in public.

what the doctor ordered 1. то, что доктор прописалAt this moment a cup of tea is just what the doctor ordered.

wishful thinking 1. благие пожелания; пустые мечты; самообольщениеWhen Ministers predict that we are on the verge of a boom, they are naturally suspected of wishful thinking. Mathew wanted to be a basketball player, but with his height that was wishful thinking.

without rhyme or reason 1. НИ складу, ни ладу; ни уму, ни сердцу; бессмысленноHis method of classifying books seems to be without rhyme or reason. English spelling and pronunciation must seem to the foreigner to be totally without rhyme or reason. Why should Wilson close down the store when it's making such profits? It's without rhyme or reason!

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washed out (adj) 1. как выжатый лимонI feel washed out today.

wheel and deal {v) 1. обделывать делишки; заниматься махинациямиHe's the sort of guy that likes to drive fast cars and wheel and deal on the stock exchange.

with a vengeance 1. с лихвойI was warned it would be hard work, and hard work with a vengeance it was.

wool-gathering (informal) 1. витать в облакахI'm tired of his constant wool-gathering -I wish he could concentrate on his work.

work like a horse 1. работать как волI've been working like a horse all day, trying to finish the roof repairs.

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wave one's magic wand 1. взмахнуть волшебной палочкой; по мановению волшебной палочки; по щучьему велениюНе thinks I can wave my magic wand and all the housework will be done: he doesn't realize how much time it takes to do it.

when push comes to shove 1. если прижмет/припрет (в критической ситуации)They knew they could sit back, and when push came to shove I'd do all the work.

with it (informal) 1. в струе (модный, современный); не отставать от жизни; идти в ногу со временемShe may be a grandmother, but she's quite with it in the way she dresses. Jenny's very with it - she'll know what people are wearing this summer.

work wonders 1. творить чудесаThe new medicine has worked wonders for my backache.

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wear one's heart upon one's sleeve 1. душа нараспашку; открытый человекI think he was really disappointed when he didn't get the job, but he is not a person who wears his heart on his sleeve.

whet one's appetite 1. разжечь аппетит That first flying lesson whetted her appetite.I've read only the first few pages of his book, but it was enough to whet my appetite.

with no strings attached 1. без оговорок/ограничений; не навязывая условийThe donation has no strings attached, so the charity is free to use it for whatever purpose it chooses. It's very rare that you get a loan that size with no strings attached.

worn to a shadow 1. превратиться в теньShe was worn to a shadow after months of nursing her sick husband.

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wear the trousers/wear the pants in the family (Am) 1. командовать парадом (верховодить в семье; всем заправлять)He looks like a tough. strong-minded man, but actually it's his wife who wears the trousers. I don't think there's any doubt about who wears the pants in their house.

when the spirit moves you (humor) 1. под настроениеНе'll cook now and again, when the spirit moves him.

with one's tail between one's legs 1. поджав хвост; пристыжено; униженно; смущенноI gave the child a severe scolding and he went away with his tail between his legs. The losing team walked off with their tails between their legs.